Augsburg confident of Bayern cup upset

Bayern have suffered just one defeat in all competitions in 2013 -- a year which has seen them win the Treble -- with their only loss coming back in March, against Arsenal in the Champions League.

They have not been beaten by any German team in 46 consecutive games, since their 2-1 defeat at home to Bayer Leverkusen in October 2012.

Bayern's Bavarian rivals Augsburg are currently ranked 10th in the Bundesliga -- and suffered a 3-0 defeat at the Allianz Arena last month -- but they are hopeful they can be on the right end of a huge cup upset in Munich on Wednesday.

"Easier teams have been in the pot," Augsburg sporting director Stefan Reuter told Augsburger Allgemeine. But it is like it is, and we will try and achieve the sensation."

The former Germany and Bayern Munich star added that Augsburg need "to rise above the occasion", but believes they have an outside chance.

"We have strong faith that we can achieve the upset," Augsburg coach Markus Weinzierl told his prematch news conference. "We want to play with more guts than three weeks ago [in the Bundesliga defeat]. But even then, they scored all the goals from set pieces. We need to change that.

"They will not keep on winning games forever. Every streak comes to an end sometime."

The Augsburg coach hopes to reach the penalty shootout, and believes "[if] we get that far, every player will score from the spot."

He added: "If they underestimate us just a little, we will be there. We have won seven of our 10 home matches, and drawn one. We take a lot of confidence from that."

Bayern coach Pep Guardiola said that he is more than wary of the threat Augsburg impose on their season.

"I like knockout games, and this is like a final now," he said. "Anything can happen in one match and Augsburg are dangerous. We will lose a game at some stage.

"For me, it is the most important game before the winter break. The games in Morocco [where the FIFA Club World Cup will be held later this month] are important, but Augsburg is more important," Guardiola warned.

Meanwhile, France international Franck Ribery is to return to the Bayern squad, but is likely to be on the bench following his return from a rib injury last month.